Wonderful WINO, Son of WINO, George Carlin (0:12:03)

… Number One and moving higher all the time …
[Description by Uncle Ricky] George Carlin, Take-Offs and Put-Ons George Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) began his career as a 19-year-old disc jockey when Top 40 radio was emerging as a new cultural phenomenon. A decade later, the up-and-coming comedian had perfected the ultimate Top 40 parody — Wonderful WINO, first released in 1967 by RCA on the LP Take-Offs and Put-Ons, and also as a single. Recorded live at Detroit’s Roostertail club in 1966, the album introduced us to Top 40 DJ Wild Wooly West, Al Sleet (The Hippy-Dippy Weatherman) and sportscaster Biff Burns. Carlin and comedian Jack Burns worked as a team at KXOL in Fort Worth, and in 1960 as The Wright Brothers at KDAY in Los Angeles. Carlin requested that his star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame be placed in front of the KDAY studios. While he was noted for his edgy, sometimes taboo and politically-insightful humor, there’s no doubt he had studied radio, particularly Top 40 radio. With 1972’s Son of WINO from his LP FM & AM, Carlin had added additional reverberation effects, a literally breathtaking news introduction and a time-tone (bing-bong!) to his Top 40 routine. This composite of both WINO recordings demonstrates George Carlin’s exceptional talent and secures his place as the Top 40 generation’s favorite stand-up comedian.   MORE GOLDEN GIFTS Reel Top 40 Radio Repository ©1996-2008 REELRADIO INC.

Welcome to the new ReelRadio!

This site is now operated by the North Carolina Broadcast History Museum. 

We want to thank the board of ReelRadio, Inc. for their stewardship since the passing of the founder Richard Irwin in 2018.  It has not been easy and they have maintained the exhibits for future generations to enjoy.

I met Richard Irwin, aka Uncle Ricky, when we were freshmen at East Carolina University.  We both had worked at local stations in our hometowns.  No one was more passionate about radio, especially Top 40 radio, than my friend Richard. 

Our goals with this site are to preserve the exhibits and make them available free of charge for people to enjoy.  Over time, we hope to add some airchecks to the site.  This will not happen immediately.  Time and resources will determine the future of new exhibits. 

Many thanks to the web folks at the Beasley Media Group for countless hours of work.  Again thanks to the board members of ReelRadio, Inc. for their faith in us. 

Richard Irwin’s hope was that his site would live on long after his passing. He said, “I hope REELRADIO will survive as my contribution to the ‘radio business’. The business is allowed to forget me, but the business should never forget the great era of radio that we celebrate here”.

We remember Richard and we thank him. If you enjoy this new site, we would appreciate a contribution. We hope you enjoy the new ReelRadio!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project